Arquitetura escalável de conversor CC–CC intercalado multicélula e multibraço para sistemas de eletrolisadores de hidrogênio verde

Abstract

This work presents a scalable architecture for an interleaved multicellular M-arm DC–DC converter, offering a significant advancement in high-efficiency power-conversion systems. The proposed topology integrates three interleaved cells, each composed of three interconnected arms, achieving high performance with reduced structural complexity. Notably, each cell requires only a single inductor to transfer power between the DC bus and the electrolyzer, enabling a more compact and efficient implementation. Among its key features, the converter employs an interleaved modulation scheme that ensures balanced current sharing among the legs; an inductor-current ripple frequency equal to three times the switching frequency; and voltage and current ripples at both the electrolyzer and the DC bus occurring at nine times the switching frequency, resulting in improved stability and dynamic performance. Furthermore, the proposed converter enables substantial reductions in the size and weight of passive components, such as inductors and capacitors, due to the enhanced distribution of current ripple. Balanced current sharing among the legs increases reliability and extends component lifetime. The converter’s ability to achieve high power density makes it particularly attractive for large-scale applications, such as green hydrogen production via water electrolysis. The work provides steady-state operation analysis under continuous-conduction mode, mathematical modeling, design guidelines, and a comparison with similar topologies reported in the literature. A 15-kW prototype was experimentally validated in open-loop operation, using a 600-V DC bus and delivering 350 V to the electrolyzer, achieving a peak efficiency of 98.14%.